Karl G. Andrén is Chairman of New York Cruise Lines, Inc., parent company of Circle Line Sightseeing Yachts, Inc. and World Yacht, Inc. He also owned Manhattan Oil Transportation and Higman Towing Company of Texas and was the founder of United Tank Containers, today the world’s largest transporter of specialty liquids. 

In 1982, Mr. Andrén conceived the idea of building large sailing vessels for commercial purposes and organized Windstar Sail Cruises Limited, which launched two 440-foot sailing ships. The largest computerized sailing vessels ever built, these ships were based in Martinique and Tahiti. A third vessel was based in Monte Carlo and the Virgin Islands. Mr. Andrén subsequently sold Windstar Sail Cruises to Holland America Line. 

In 1987, Mr. Andrén was inducted into the French Legion of Honor, as Chevalier; in 1993, he was awarded the Swedish Royal Order of the North Star, Knight, First Class; in 1999, he received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor; and in 2003, he was bestowed the Finnish decoration of the Order of the Lion of Finland, Knight, First Class.

Mr. Andrén holds a B.S. degree from Upsala College and an M.A. in economics from Pennsylvania State University. Mr. Andrén is the Treasurer, Director and a member of the Executive Committee of the New York Convention and Visitors Bureau, and is actively involved in various tourism organizations in City of New York. He is also a Director of The Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce, Inc.; President Casinos, Inc.; The Bernadotte Foundation For Children’s Eyecare, New York; and The American Scandinavian Foundation, New York. He is a Trustee of the South Street Seaport Museum. He is a member of the New York Yacht Club, New York; Indian Harbor Yacht Club, Greenwich, Connecticut; and The Stanwich Club, Greenwich, Connecticut.

Read about the Mr. Karl & Louise Andrén Scholar: Gustaf Rössner
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